CoA to rule on Butterfly’s P30m suit

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CoA to rule on Butterfly’s P30m suit
CoA to rule on Butterfly’s P30m suit

Africa-Press – Botswana. Wehlemina “Butterfly” Maswabi’s infamous October 2019 arrest on ‘financing terrorism’ charges reached the country’s apex court this week, this time in a reversal of roles, with the former spy agent suing investigators and state organs for her damaged reputation.

Some of the allegations against Maswabi when she was first dramatically frog-marched before the courts under deafening sirens and heavy police escorts four years ago, were that she was a signatory to a secret account in South Africa into which millions of Pula were stolen from Bank of Botswana. Some of the charges were later withdrawn.

However, after failing to convince the High Court to award her damages to her reputation in the sum of P30 million, she has approached the Court of Appeal.

Maswabi has cited former employee of Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crimes (DCEC) Jako Hubona as the First Respondent, Directorate of Public Prosecutions as 2nd Respondent, DCEC as 3rd Respondent, Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) and Botswana Police as 5th Respondent.

Advocate Geoff Budlender challenged many of the High Court decisions especially on the procedure she followed when she launched the suit.

He stated that Hubona went out of his way and made damaging statements in his Affidavit even though he knew that the allegations were false and fabricated, including theft of P10billion from Bank of Botswana.

The contents of his affidavit gave rise to a charge sheet that landed Maswabi in the dock.

Budlender stated that the Affidavit was made after the DCEC had interviewed some Bank of Botswana employees who stated that there was no such amount missing from the Bank.

He said Hubona deliberately lied and that he is liable and therefore should apologize and retract the statements.

He added that the DPP did not exercise due care in drafting the charge sheet; DIS and police played different roles and were also liable.

He said although some of the charges were withdrawn, the statements were never withdrawn and argued further that Maswabi was entitled to right to reputation and dignity and that they were trampled upon by government officials who abused their power by concocting the charges.

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